“Observance pays off,” said acting Maj. Hernan M. Organvidez who credit- ed a southwest resident with helping police nab four vehicle burglars in an Apr. 16 arrest.
Det. Otto Ablariedo, Sgt. Godofredo Suros, Officers Ariel Herrera and Joseph Medina were able to interrogate, identify and arrest a quartet of young males, all with prior records, including two felons.
Twin complaints at Mirabella Falls Apartments, 8365 SW 152 Ave. and the Peppermill Apartment Complex, 8006 SW 149 Ave., brought police to both addresses where automobile burglaries occurred within minutes of each other.
Obtaining exceptionally detailed identities from a Mirabella Falls resi- dent, Officer Medina was able to radio the information to Officer Herrera arriving at the Peppermill address.
Spotting the black Volkswagen Jetta that minutes earlier had left Mirabella Falls, Herrera quickly conducted a rou- tine traffic stop to detain its four male occupants.
Summoned to the scene for further interrogation, Sgt. Suros and Det. Ablanedo of the Hammocks Auto Theft Unit were able to confirm the quartet had committed various vehicle burglaries with several stolen items still in their possession. All items subsequently were returned to their owners.
With previous records of both misdemeanors and felony crimes, all four were placed under arrest, including two described as “dangerous felons.”
In honoring the officers for their quick response and follow-up investigations, Maj. Organvidez especially com- mended the resident who “gave very detailed and thorough information that resulted in taking these criminals off the streets.
“This is really an example of how citizens working quickly and with keen observation powers can keep our neighborhoods safe,” he added.
The four officers were each given citations as Hammocks District Officers of the Month for May 2012 by CAC chair James Blough.
